Participatory Tourism in Southern Madagascar

As you journey along the road, you’ll encounter vibrant market stalls brimming with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. This experience is more than just a visual feast; it’s a meaningful contribution to eco-tourism. By purchasing from these stalls, you can directly supporting local farmers and sustainable agriculture and help preserve the rich agricultural traditions and biodiversity of the region. Our journey takes us to Antsirabe, famed for its artisanal heritage. Here, you’ll visit a traditional foundry, where cooking pots (cocottes) are crafted using time-honored techniques and rudimentary tools. This town is celebrated for its handmade kitchenware and aluminum goods, which are sought after across Madagascar. These small, family-run workshops, numbering around a hundred, involve the entire family and often employ additional workers from nearby rural areas. This artisanal skill, passed down through generations, involves melting aluminum scraps, manually crafting molds, and pouring the molten metal with remarkable precision and speed. Witness firsthand how a single artisan can produce over fifty pots in a day, all without modern protective gear. It’s said that this craft began following a plane crash in the region during World War II, sparking a unique and enduring industry.

Accommodation: Upon arrival in Antsirabe, settle into your comfortable accommodation at the Antsaha hotel, which charmingly translates to “hotel in the fields.” Here, you’ll enjoy a typical Malagasy dinner, experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the region. Prepare for a night of rest, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Highlands, ready for the next chapter of your unforgettable journey through Southern Madagascar.

• Ambositra Artisan Hub: Dive into Ambositra’s vibrant artisan community committed to upholding traditional crafts. Wander through numerous woodcraft workshops scattered across the city, where talented artisans skillfully work and sculpt Madagascar’s precious woods like rosewood, ebony, and palisander. Experience artisans showcasing sustainable wood carving techniques and discussing the significance of preserving indigenous knowledge.

• Market stroll: In the afternoon, we venture into the vibrant local market, where the sights, sounds, and aromas of Madagascar come alive. Here, amid bustling stalls piled high with exotic fruits, spices, and freshly caught seafood, we embark on a culinary journey.
• Led by skilled local chefs, we delve into the art of Malagasy cuisine. From mastering the delicate balance of flavors in traditional dishes to understanding the cultural significance behind each ingredient, every moment is a celebration of Malagasy culinary heritage.

As the sun sets, we gather for a memorable dinner, savouring the fruits of our labor and the flavours of Madagascar served with warmth and hospitality.

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• Begin with a visit to Pierrot Men’s photography workshop, celebrated as Madagascar’s premier photographer.
• Discover “Le Relais Madagasikara” workshops, fostering sustainable socio-economic activities and job creation.
• Journey to Maromby Monastery, home to Trappist monks since 1958, where you can witness their prayers and enjoy monastic products.
• Experience the vibrant Zoma market, bustling with diverse stalls offering local goods.
• Enjoy lunch with locals to savor authentic Malagasy cuisine
• Explore the Old Town, a 19th-century Merina Kingdom legacy and now the administrative heart of Betsileo, showcasing its historical charm through winding cobbled streets.
• Continue with visits to a bamboo furniture workshop and an Antemoro paper manufacturer, learning about their traditional crafts.
• Wander through a local market brimming with lively colors and scents.
• Discover rural Fianarantsoa from a hilltop viewpoint, admiring traditional houses, rice fields, and local pottery workshops where families work together harmoniously.